Arsenal vs Newcastle: An Overview
Third-placed Arsenal hosted eighth-placed Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, February 24.
The Gunners entered this game on the back of a great run of form in the league. They won each of their last five games, scoring 21 goals in the process and conceding just two. Their last two games were a 6-0 win over West Ham, followed by a 5-0 demolition of Burnley as Arsenal looked to keep marching on. Mikel Arteta had a fully fit squad available for this game as his team were clear favourites ahead of kick off.
The Magpies, on the other hand, entered this contest on the back of a mixed run of form. With three wins and two draws in their last five, they looked to steady the ship after five defeats in six games prior to that. Newcastle kept just one clean sheet and conceded nine goals in their last five as they made the trip to London with a shaky defence. Eddie Howe and his men were underdogs for this game.
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Match Report & Analysis
Arsenal ran out handsome 4-1 winners against a hapless Newcastle United who were thoroughly outplayed away from home.
The hosts made an electric start to the game and played most of their football in Newcastle’s half. They created several chances in the early stages of the game, pushing the visitors deep into their own penalty area. The first goal came in the form of an own goal as Sven Botman bundled the ball over the line following a corner from Bukayo Saka.
Gabriel Martinelli then made a lovely diagonal run to confuse the Magpies’ defence and was played through. He took a deft touch before finding Kai Havertz in the box as the German coolly slotted the ball home. The hosts led 2-0 at the break.
Saka then got on the scoresheet for the fifth Premier League game running after a pass from Havertz. The winger cut in from the right and fired a curling effort past Loris Karius and into the bottom corner. Just four minutes later, Declan Rice delivered a pinpoint corner which was headed home by Jakub Kiwior for his first goal of the season.
Former Arsenal academy graduate Joe Willock grabbed a consolation goal for Newcastle late in the game from a Dan Burn assist. But it was too little too late as the result was already settled.
That said, let’s take a look at the top performers from the game.
ALSO READ: Arsenal vs Newcastle United Player Ratings as Saka and Havertz run riot at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Top Performers
Kai Havertz | Arsenal | 8.5/10
Havertz had a great game as he enabled play for Arsenal in the final third. He used his body and flicks pretty well to bring his teammates into the game. The German grabbed a goal in the first half to make it 2-0 and also assisted Saka’s goal in the second half for 3-0.
He passed the ball with 87% accuracy, including one key pass. He won four of five of his aerial duels and also made two interceptions. He had a great chance to grab a second goal early in the second half but rolled his effort narrowly wide.
Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | 8/10
Saka arguably created the first goal with his accurate delivery towards Gabriel. The ball then ricocheted in the box before Botman bundled it in. He grabbed his 13th Premier League goal of the season with a lovely finish past Karius in the second half.
The Englishman passed the ball with 84% accuracy, including two key passes and one long ball. He attempted four shots, with two of those on target. Saka also won three duels and made one tackle.
Declan Rice | Arsenal | 8/10
Rice put in another dominant performance in midfield and also had an assist to show for it. He passed the ball with an incredible 92% accuracy, including four key passes and four long balls.
Rice attempted one shot on target, won one duel and also made one interception. His performance helped Arsenal control midfield in a dominant win.
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Match Point
Arsenal came out of the blocks in full force and put Newcastle on the back foot from early in the game. This prevented the visitors from gaining any momentum as they looked clueless for most of the first half.
By the time Newcastle had their first attempt on target, the Gunners were already well out of sight with a two-goal lead. After that, there was no looking back. Arsenal’s two goals in four minutes sealed the deal and takes them up to 58 points for the season.